{"id":109298,"date":"2017-08-22T09:35:33","date_gmt":"2017-08-22T08:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/amateurphotographer.co.uk\/?p=109298"},"modified":"2017-08-22T09:45:59","modified_gmt":"2017-08-22T08:45:59","slug":"justin-mott-professional-photographer-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/other.kelsey.host\/amateurphotographer\/technique\/expert_advice\/justin-mott-professional-photographer-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Make The Jump From Amateur To Professional Photographer"},"content":{"rendered":"

What makes a pro a pro? How do you do it, do you just wake up one day and the photo gods anoint you a pro? Do you have to pass the pro photography exam and get some sort of certificate?<\/p>\n\"Justin<\/a>\n

Justin Mott<\/a> studied photojournalism at San Francisco State University where he learned a lot about the technical side of photography, ethics, work ethics, and \u00a0storytelling. What he didn’t learn much about was the business the side of things. However, he knew in his second year of college that he wanted to be professional photographer, but had no clue how to make that happen. “The industry is constantly changing and universities can only teach you so much. \u00a0The challenging part isn\u2019t becoming a pro, the hard part is having the confidence to make the leap and make it work,” Just explains. Below, Justin shares his top tips for turning an ambition into a reality.<\/p>\n

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I made the leap about a decade ago and it hasn’t always been easy but I made it happen the old fashioned way, hard work and persistence. Now I own a commercial photography and video production company, a destination wedding photography business, and I shoot as an editorial photographer as well.\u00a0 When I teach workshops or meet budding photographers at events the most common question I get asked is how to become a pro so I decided to put my advice into an article. \u00a0Everyone has a different path in their journey from amateur to pro but I hope these tips will help steer you in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n

Tip 1 – Talent Isn\u2019t Everything<\/h2>\n

I wasn\u2019t the most talented student, but I worked my butt off and stayed committed. Don\u2019t let the narcissist professionals tell you it\u2019s all about talent. Becoming a professional photographer is like anything else, hard work pays off in the end.\u00a0Make sure you commit to making it work no matter what, through the good photos and the bad, for better or worse.<\/p>\n

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A post shared by Justin Mott (@askmott)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n